Testing Georgia Truckers for Alcohol and Drugs

Ultimately, the responsibility for driving sober rests with the individual driver.  However, because of the dangers presented by truckers who drive under the influence, the federal Department of Transportation has defined certain times when a commercial trucker must be tested for drugs and alcohol.

The required testing times include:

• Pre-Employment: drug testing is typically required of all new drivers within 30 days of employment.
• Post-Accident: when a trucker is ticketed for an accident resulting in injury or a disabled vehicle, or when a fatal accident occurs, then testing for both drugs and alcohol is required.
• Randomly: truckers may be tested randomly.
• Upon Reasonable Suspicion: observation of appearance, behavior, smell or speech of a truck driver can lead a supervisor to request a drug test.
• Before Returning to Duty: drug and alcohol testing may be required before a trucker returns to duty.

A refusal to be tested is treated as a positive drug or alcohol test and carries the same repercussions that Georgia drunk truckers face.

The Department of Transportation is looking for 100% compliance with its drug and alcohol policy.  Yet, since the responsibility rests with each driver, our Atlanta truck accident attorneys believe that that goal is unlikely to ever be met.  If you have been hurt by a drunken trucker in a Georgia truck crash, then we encourage you to contact an Atlanta truck accident lawyer for more information about your rights.  We can be reached at 770.518.1133.